Activities in Dublin for Couples: 4-Day Itinerary

Planning to make a break for it with your other half? If you found your way here, you must be considering Dublin’s fair city for your staycation. We agree with you, there is just so much to do in the capital. It is the perfect place for a few days away no matter what your interests.

Things to do in Dublin

One of the hardest things about planning a trip to Dublin is filtering through all the options. Do you stick to the big hitters? Trinity College, Kilmainham Goal and Christchurch Cathedral? Or do you try to get out of Dublin city centre to explore the Phoenix park or tour Glasnevin Cemetery? These are all worthy contenders for a first trip.

But what if you have visited before? What if you want to get off the beaten track in Dublin?

Off the beaten track for couples

This is exactly what we can help you with. We have done the legwork to find unique, independent experiences that you and your loved one can enjoy together. We’ve themed each day so you can match them to your interests.

Day 1: Things to do in Dublin for foodies

Dublin is foodie heaven with thirty-two Michelin Guide restaurants dotted around the city for you to enjoy. If fine dining is not your thing, the Temple Bar Food Market takes place each Saturday. It offers a more relaxed experience where you can sample some of the best Irish produce at this outdoor market.

Try great Irish food with Dublin Tasting Trail

Enjoy a three-hour guided ramble through the city stopping at six or seven independently owned cafés, restaurants and food producers to sample the best food the city has to offer using locally sourced ingredients. Venues are chosen to reflect the current Dublin food scene including international and contemporary offerings.

Drinks at the B Bar Burlington Road

guests relaxing at clayton burlington

What better way to end your day in Dublin than with a drink or cocktail at the chic B Bar Burlington Road? Allow our expert bar staff and mixologists provide you with the perfect end to your day in Dublin.

Even better again, treat yourselves to an elegant room at Clayton Hotel Burlington Road so you don’t have to leave.

Day 2: Things to do in Dublin for adrenaline junkies

If you and your partner love to feel the rush of adrenaline that comes with being active [or just want to work off all of yesterday’s food and drink], we have the perfect day two in Dublin for you.

Break out of an escape room at Adventure Rooms

Put your relationship and brainpower to the test by working together to solve puzzles and escape a room within 60 minutes. We don’t want to give too much away but there are four themes to choose from.

The Swiss room is based on the original escape room invented by a science teacher and his students. It is gimmick-free, just a series of puzzles to solve, this is a great option if you have never attempted an escape room before. If you are feeling more adventurous book the World Trip, Mafia or Black Queen-themed rooms. Only one-third of participants actually manage to escape on time, the question is, do you and your other half have what it takes?

Learn to kite surf with Pure Magic Dublin

After all that thinking, it’s time to get seriously active with Pure Magic Dublin. Book a kitesurfing lesson on Dollymount or Sutton Beach with confidence as you are in safe hands with a highly experienced, fully qualified instructor.

Don’t worry about packing a wetsuit, all equipment and apparel is provided all you need is your enthusiasm. With some practice, you can look forward to the excitement and adrenaline rush of controlling a powerful kite as you glide across the water.

Visit Hope Beer Brewery 

While you’re over this side of the city why not experience a micro-brewery tour in Dublin. Located in Dublin 5, Hope Beer Brewery is the perfect place to wind down after Kitesurfing! Experience a brewery tour and then finish it off with a beer tasting. The tours require a minimum of 6 people and a maximum of 15, Visit the Hope Beer site to learn more!

Dinner at the Grandstand Bar and Restaurant, Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge

Where better to enjoy a three-course meal after a day at the beach than the newly opened Grandstand Restaurant in  Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge? The Insta-worthy interior is the perfect place to relax after an adrenaline-filled day.

Day 3: Things to do in Dublin for history buffs

Do you love delving into the past on holiday? Dublin is a city with history around every corner.

Experience history along the canal

Couple biking in Dublin

Dublin was home to many familiar faces from Ireland’s literary scene and the city is dotted with statues commemorating them. Starting along Grand Canal, you can pick up a Dublin Bike just around the corner from  Clayton Hotel Charlemont (a hotel steeped in history too!) to enjoy the history along the water before exploring further into the city. For a rest, why not have a seat beside Patrick Kavanagh or a lounge near Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square!

Step into Dublin’s past on a Historical Walking Tour

Historical Walking Tours of Dublin is the city’s longest established tour guide business. Not only do the tour guides know their stuff (all history postgraduates) but they are excellent storytellers. Dublin’s streets are a rich archive of its past. The stories of Dublin’s buildings and landmarks also tell the complex tale that led to the foundation of the Irish state. This is the original Dublin walking tour … and it’s still the best.

Discover the history of the Irish abroad at EPIC

the irish emigration museum visit

The history of Ireland is closely linked to the story of Emigration and that is worth exploring on a couples break in Dublin. On a visit to EPIC you’ll discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world. Discover Ireland from the outside in and find out why saying “I’m Irish” is one of the biggest conversation starters, no matter where you are. 

Enjoy afternoon tea on a Vintage Tea Tour

After all that delving into the past you are likely to have worked up an appetite, keep the theme going with afternoon tea with a difference. Hop on board a fully restored 1960s vintage double-decker bus and be transported back in time where social media was non-existent and chats over tea reigned supreme. Sit back, relax, and take in the sights of Dublin’s Fair City. This is afternoon tea the Irish way.

Learn more about Ireland’s capital at the Little Museum of Dublin

If you want to learn even more about the history of Dublin, the Little Museum of Dublin on St. Stephens green is a compact archive of what makes the city great. Charming, fun and informative you can expect to learn about everything from its Viking history right up to the modern-day including everything in between. This hidden gem is full to the brim with interesting artifacts from furniture to flags, each with their own unique story of how the city became the one we know and love.

Day 4: Romantic things to do in Dublin

Let’s face it, no couples trip to Dublin would be complete without some romance. If you want to really relax and enjoy a day in Dublin with your other half, what should you do? If you book a luxurious room in The Gibson Hotel, jump on the Luas right outside and it will take you to Dublin Zoo in a matter of minutes.

Dublin Zoo

So we know, as one of the most visited attractions in the country, Dublin Zoo isn’t exactly off the beaten track but it is a lovely place for a date in Dublin. The Zoo is a wonderful place to escape to, explore the many habitats and enjoy each other’s company.  If you haven’t been here since you were a child or ever before, it has changed a lot in the last decade and is very much worth a visit. You can observe a host of animals in naturalistic spaces with vegetation and water features that reflect their habitat in the wild. There are also plenty of refreshment options in the zoo and some lovely gardens to relax in so you can really make a day of it.

Dinner at the First Dates Restaurant 

hemi bar at gibson hotel

Finish off a day at the zoo with the perfect Irish date night in the Gibson’s Coda restaurant, most recently known as the location for Ireland’s First Dates series. Treat the one you love to dinner in Ireland’s most romantic restaurant.

The only question is, are you willing to share your raspberry and white chocolate heart?

Where to stay in Dublin for couples?

Stay with Clayton Hotels for your couples’ break away in Dublin and you can choose from one of our many hotels in central locations all around the city. For some First Dates glam, treat the one you love to an executive room in The Gibson Hotel.

If romantic walks along the canal are more you, Clayton Hotel Charlemont is the perfect choice. Located along the Grand Canal, part of Dublin’s history that inspired so much of Patrick Kavanagh’s writing.

Treat yourselves to a Dublin date night stay in Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, and enjoy delicious cocktails in the B Bar.

Or choose the opulent surrounds of Dublin 4 with a break in a superior room in the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge.

No matter which Clayton Hotel you select, know that you can relax knowing your every need will be met by our wonderful staff so you and your partner can enjoy the safe, romantic break away you both deserve.

Start planning your next romantic getaway and book your perfect Dublin break at Clayton Hotels.

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